Chvostek

Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of existing nerve hyperexcitability (tetany) seen in hypocalcemia. It refers to an abnormal reaction to the stimulation of the facial nerve. When the facial nerve is tapped at the angle of the jaw (the masseter muscle), the facial muscles on the same side of the face will contract momentarily (typically a twitch of the nose or lips) because of hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) with resultant hyperexcitability of nerves.

History

Chvostek's sign is named after František Chvostek, an Austrian physician who first described this sign in 1876. It is a clinical sign of existing nerve hyperexcitability.

Clinical significance

Chvostek's sign is often associated with hypocalcemia, but it can also be present in hypomagnesemia. It is observed in 10-25% of normal individuals and is therefore of limited diagnostic value. The sign is more often seen in patients with hypocalcemia.

See also

• Trousseau sign of latent tetany
• Hypocalcemia
• Hypomagnesemia

References

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